It's about time this poxy G'ment got something right although I think all of us who have added our signatures to the Gurkha campaign will have helped sway them too, public opinion was always with the these brave soldiers anyway.

Great news for the Gurkhas. Reading an anymous 'Home Office spokesperson' comment in the BBC website:

"Since 2004, over 6000 former Gurkhas and family members have been granted settlement in the UK under immigration rules," he continued.
"We are determined to get the guidance right to ensure that it is fair to all Gurkhas. This has involved consultation across government."

- and given that the Office for National Statistics website states that apprximately 577,000 people arrived in 2007 (the last year I could find figures for) and stayed for at least a year, the 6,000 former Gurkhas & dependants equate to just under 4 days' worth of 'average' immigration.

I hope that the govt and its spokespeople don't try to trot out any more figures like this in their pathetic attempts to sound benevolent. 6,000 sounds like a big number, but not when put in context.